The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-04
A MODEL FLORIDA TOWN.
Volusia's Commercial Metropolis-Its
Rapid Growth.


Rapid Growth.
DELAND, FLA, May At is but short
time since DeLand was almost destroyed by
fire, yet hardly trace of the terrible vista
ton remains to-day. The burnt district has
been rebuilt with fine and even elegant brick
blocks, and their fine proportions and plate
glass fronts show the energy and business
foresight of her capitalists and business men.
Rents in these brick buildings are about as
reasonable as in the old buildings, while the
insurance rates are reduced from 1-2 and
q IL per cent. to 2 and 2 1-2 Isn't this a
strong point in this direction alone, regard
ing the JSolute necessity of building fire
proof stores and business blocls9
DeLand is beautifully located on a high
ridge and in the midst of a very fertile sec
ton. This latter feature is clearly shown
in the numerous and valuable orange
groves all through here, extending for miles
on every side of the city. As a health re-
sort it has attained a reputation second to
no place In the State, its location on this
ridge and in the midst of the pines giving it
great advantages III this respect. Its growth
has not been phenomenal" nor has it had
a sudden boom" but the substantial inn
| provementS show the abiding faith of the
| builders in its future. And Judging from
the appearance of the town itself, its we'll
built business blocks, elegant hotels and
| handsome residences, and the well-settled
! country Immediately surrounding, this
faith is not misplaced. A good deal of
| building Is going on now, several large
sales of real estate have been re-
| ported recently and the general indications
point to very fair summer and an ex-
tremely heavy fall business in all branches
In 1880 the population was about 800, now
it is in the neighborhood of 1900.
The educational advantages of DeLand
are superb and are its pride. The DeI4and
University offers most complete course
and of high standard To Mr.. H. A. De
Lands generosity and public spirit does this
institution owe its existence. He endowed
it literally from the start, and has used his
| time, money and influence without stint to
place it still higher. An endowment fund
of $4,000 is now being raised, Mr.. DeLand
giving So 900, the other $4,000 being raised
throughout the State by the Baptist denomi-
nation.
Mr. John B. Stetson. of PHILADELPHIA. has
invested here largely, probably to the ex-
teut of 100000 or more, and as one result
''Stetson Hall" is now completed. 1t has
! rooms for the faculty, twenty six rooms for
| students, dining rooms, etc, and is a hand
some'bulldlng IN every respect The term
just finished has been well attended and
scores of applications have already been
| made for the fall term. Besides this there is
a fine kindergarten school, as well as a we'll
| laugh public school. With these certainly the
city lays claim, and justly, too, to having
| the best educational facilities in the State.
J Both the college building and Stetson Hall
are handsomely designed and
planned and finished off in native woods.
Mr.. Stetson has just offered to donate $25,
00J towards a 100000 endowment fund, and
the friends of the university hope to secure
| the other $75, 200 soon.
The business of the merchants seems to be
on good basis, and they carry large and
well assorted stocks in their several lines.
Nearly all are readers of the MORNING News
and speak highly of il. Among the new
readers of the paper we may mention:
James Wylie, gas and steam fitting, timing,
etc. Cairns 81 Pearson, fine cabinet makers;
j. p. Bogue a. Co., hardware, stoves and
tinware; Hamlin g. Stewart, attorneys:
Robert c.. Wellesley, proprietor DeLand
Laundry; Mrs j. w. Hitchings, millinery;
w. II. Wood & Smooth, house and sign
painting; l.. c. Beardslee, billiard room, ci
gars, tobacco and mineral waters.
Next week Is commencement week at the
university, and Che students are in q fiutter
The MORNING NEWS representative was
shown some fine free hand drawing executed
by the pupils of the art department, and
they all showed much proficiency. Miss
Anna ~ Tuthill, the teacher, is very pains
taking, and the students seem to have
protlted by her teachings. She has just
finished handsome crayoa portrait of Mr.
DeLand, which is spoken highly Of.
The exercises of commencement week will
open with the baccalaureate sermon, Suudv
evening, by President Forces. On Monday
the examinations will be completed, and in
TIE evening the Palmetto Society viii give
a reception at StetSon Hall. Tuesday morn
ing the entrance examinations will take
place. and in the evening the Palmetto So
ciety win give their public literary exercises
at the Baptist church. Wednesday morn
ing the board of trustees will hold their
first nesting under the new charter, and in
the evening will be the regular commence
ment exercises at the Baptist church.
Steps are now, being takea TO introduce
the electric light here, and it is hoped that
before next season it will be in fun opera
ton.
Vegetables are looking well and are quite
plentiful. Orange, peach and other fruit
} trees are growing thIiftily, and the orange
trees seem well laden with young fruit. Tho
will